Manipulation of nanoparticle (NP) growth kinetics enables the creation of engineered NPs with controlled size, morphology, and composition for applications ranging from catalysis to drug delivery. Previous studies have largely focused on the dynamic evolution of solid particles, often overlooking how liquid environments influence NP nucleation, growth, and evolution. Here we elucidate a nanoreactor mechanism whereby nanodroplets can be deliberately manipulated to tailor NP growth kinetics using controlled electron beams during liquid-phase electron microscopy. By judiciously varying the beam conditions, nanodroplets can be reshaped in a controlled manner and serve as deformable liquid reactors. This enables investigation of how nanodroplet morphology affects the nucleation and growth of enclosed NPs. Using copper NP growth as a model system, we identify two distinct growth modes and uncover location-dependent kinetic differences within individual nanodroplets. This study provides new insights into NP growth kinetics and offers an innovative method for tailored synthesis of NPs. Controlling nanoparticle growth kinetics enables the design of nanoparticles with tailored size, morphology, and composition for applications ranging from catalysis to drug delivery. Here, the authors reveal a nanoreactor mechanism where electron beams manipulate nanodroplets to control nanoparticle growth during liquid-phase electron microscopy.
Zhang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.